Elevator-signal reflector



Patented dan. l, i924.

kamel ERNEST W. MARSHALL, F YONKERS, NEW YORK.

ELEVATOR-SIGNAL REFLECTOR.

Applicationled December 6, 1919.- Serial No. 342,971.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST W. MARSHALL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Yonkers, Westchester County, and State of New York, United States of America, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevator-Signal Reflectors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompany- 410 ing drawings, forming a part thereof.

in which l will describe my invention and the novel features of which will be set forth `in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the enclosure of an elevator hatchway at a single floor for a bank of elevators for each of which a door is provided with the light signals'for each elevator and with a reflector which is made in accordance with and embodies this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation, and Figure 3 a sectional side elevation of one embodiment of the invention. vFigures l and 5 are corresponding of another form of construction.

Figures 6 and 7 are corresponding views of a still further modified form of construction.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a spherical reflector which is also constructed for the purpose of making use of this invention.

Figure 9 is a front elevation, and

Figure 10 a side view of kan elevator signal push button boX with one of the improved reliectors thereon.

Figure 11`is a diagrammatic plan view of a plurality of elevator signals which are not views 'This results not only in inconvenience to in a single line showing how one of these relectors maybe used under such conditions.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings. 10 designates the enclosure for a bank of four elevators with doors above each of which is a pair of light signals 11 and 12. At 13 is a push button switch comprising an up signal buttton 14 and a down-signal button 15. ln signal systems in common use, the arrangements aresuch that after an up push button, such as 14, has been pressed, a car approaching the floor from below at which the button is located will cause its respective up signal light 11 to be illuminated, and after a down push button 15 has been pressed, a car approaching such a floor from above, will cause its respective down signal light 12 to be illuminated. It is generally difficult especially where there are `many elevators, and sometimes impossible for the one who pushed the button to watch all of the light signals, or even to stand in a position from which all of them are visible.

the users of the elevators, but in a considerable delay in the elevator service.

According to this invention, a reflector is placed near the push buttons or in some `other convenient position which has its refleeting surface so formed that any or all of the signal lights will be seen thereon from any position relative to the reflector.

A simple form of such reflector is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and designated by the 485 reference numeral 20. This comprises a bracket having a back 21 with a rim 22 eX- tending at an angle therefrom and a convexly curved reflector 23 supported thereby p and secured in place by a screw 24. As shown the back has a portion which extends beyond the reflector with the words Elevator Signal Reflector thereon.

Before specifically describing the structures in the other figures of the drawings, I will point out the manner in which this device operates. Assume that a passenger has pressed the push button 15 and that one or more cars are approaching the floor from above. Shortly before the first of these cars arrives at the floor at which the button has been pressed, its down signal light 12 Will be illuminated. Because of' the curved surface of the reflector 23, the person standing near the push button may see this light reflected thereon no matter Whether he is standing directly in front of the push button or to the right or to the leftthereof. The particular point on the reflector at which the light vvill appear will depend upon the position at which the person is standing. Consequently, regardless of. the position at which the person is standing relative to the reflector, he may by directing his eyes towards the reflector, see any or all of' the signal lights which may be illuminated Without the inconvenience of moving his eyes back and forth across a plurality. of such signals and Without the inconvenience of moving to one end of the line of signals to, a position Where he may be able to see all of them at once. The result is that the person who has pushed the button is able to tell easily which of' the cars is to be ready for him to enter in ample time to move to the door of such car and to be ready to enter the car immediately after the door is opened by the car operator. Thus. the period of stop of the car at thefloor is mimimized and the elevator service speeded up to thatl extent.

The device shown in Figure 8 comprises a back 30 which may be fastened in a desired place. This supports a spherical mirror 31, the curved surface of Which will reflect the signal lights in the manner previously described.

It is not necessary that the reflecting surface be convex and in Figure l a construction is shown Which comprises a back l0 vvith a rim 41. extending at an angle there- .from and supporting a concavely curved reflector l2 whichV is secured in place by a screw L13. This Works in a manner someivhat like that described in connection with the device illustrated in the first three figures ofthe drawings with the exception of that when a light is illnniiinated to the lelt of' the'observer. the reflection thereof' will appear at the right hand side of the reflector.

Instead of a uniformly curved surface the reflector' may, of course, be made of a plurality of flat facet-s disposed on a curve in order to produce the desired result. The reflectors shown in Figure 15 are curved in two planes but this is not necessary in` order to produce the desired result For example, the structure shown in Figures 6 and 7 comprises a housing Which supports a reflector 51 which is curved in only one direction This is true also of the reflector shown in Figures 9 and 10 which is designated by the reference numeral In the latter case, this is either an integral part of the push button box 13 or is a member affixed thereto in the position shown.

In Figure 11 a plurality of light signals 16 are shown in alinement with each other with other light signals 17 in another line. In this case, a curved reflector is placed at on Which the signal lights are visible to the person standing either in front of one or the other of the rows of light signals 16 or 17. In this connection it may be pointed out that when elevators are placed on opposite sides of a. hall and facing each other, a person may see the signal light from any one of; them on one of these reflectors Without changing his position provided the reflector' is placed at a sufficient height to prevent the personY coming between the signal light and the reflector. v

This invention is obviously capable of being embodied in structures of many different kinds, and I have illustrated and described a number of constructions for the purpose of' showing that I do not intendto be limited to any specific form or construction. In fact, I intend no limitations other than those imposedy by the appended claims.

What I claim is: .i

1. A signal reflector adapted to be .used in conjunction with a plurality of spaced visible signals, having a reflecting surface so curved as; to reflect each of the signals in such a manner that it may be seen from a plurality of different positions, and means for securing said` signal reflector in afi-Xed position relative to the signals.

2. In combination With a plurality' of Jspaced visible Signals, a signal reflector placed in a fixed position relative to the signals, and having a reflecting surface so curved as to reflect eachV of the signals in such a manner that it, maybe seen from a plurality of different positions.,

3. An elevator signal system comprising a plurality of yspaced visible signals, a control box for the signals placed in a fixed position relative to, the signals, and a reflecting surface so curved as to reflect each of` the signals in suchv aV manne-r that it, may be seen 'from a plurality of different positions. f y

4L. The combination 'with a bank of' elevators provided Wijt'h individual visible signals, of a signal reflector having a reflectingy surface so curved as to reflect each of the signals in such a manner that it may be seen from a plurality of different positions, to thereby enable the Operation of the different signals, to` be, observed from different positionsin respect ofl the signals and the reflector.

5. A signal reflector adapted to be used in conjunction With. a plurality of spaced visible signals. having a, reflector with different partsthereofA starnlingy in different angular relations so as to reflect each of the signals in such a manner that it may Hector with diiferent parts thereof standing 10 be seen from a plurality of dierent posin different angular-relations so as to re tions, and means for securing said signal fleet each of the signals in such a manner reflector in a fixed position relative to the that it may be seen from a plurality of dif- 6 signals. ferent positions.

6. An elevator signal system comprising In Witness whereof, I hereunto set my E@ a plurality of spaced visible signals, a conhand this 5th day of December, 1919. trol box for the signals placed n a fixed position relative to the signals, and a re- ERNEST W. MARSHALL. 

